Question about dealer prep

I always buy black cars and I hate when they get those fine scratches and swirl marks. I am picking my EXT up at the end of the week and I noticed that some of the cars on the lot had those fine scratches and these were brand new cars. I figured that it must be from the dealer prepping them an washing and waxing them. I told the salesman that I didn't want mine washed or waxed because I figured that I could avoid at least some of the scratches off the bat. Was this stupid, am I overreacting? What exactly do they do when they prep the vehicle? Do I have to wax the car when I get it home? The dealer looked at me like I am crazy, but a friend of mine who is a BMW salesman told me to reuwest that they don't prep it and I thought it made sense. Thanks for your input.

Re: Question about dealer prep

I have not let a dealership prep my cars/trucks since 1986, I tell them to remove the interior plastic, clean the windows inside, inspection (required in PA) check the fluid levels and that is it. If upon inspecting the car and it arrived dirty from the trip I some times depending on the time of the year will wash it at the dealership, many dealerships will let you do this, if not I take it home and get to work detailing, you will find that not letting the dealership prep the car/truck will save you from having to remove all the scratches they would have put into the finish.

Re: Question about dealer prep

Well you "never" have to wax it if you do not want to, of course it would look like crap after a while. I always do the following process to all my new cars/trucks, wash with Dawn, dry, clay your car/truck, rewash, dry, apply your favorite wax or sealant, synthetic "waxes"/ "sealants" will outlast carnauba waxes 5 to 1 in durability. I usually spend 4-6 hours on interior and exterior on my new cars/trucks, but it's the best time to do it when they are new.

Re: Question about dealer prep

We had 36 detail shops in the 80's and 90's, we applied mostly Meguiar's products, they would good but just do not offfer much in terms of durability, been using Zaino for about 12 years and selling it for 10 years, nothing lasts longer.

Re: Question about dealer prep

Originally Posted by joeg679

I tried to order the stuff, but they apparently don't ship to NJ and they are based out of NJ. I emailed them to see what is going on. Also, do I need the accelerator?

That is because we are the PA/NJ distributor, the factory will send you our contact info You need ZFX if you want to do multi coats, if you are not doing multi coats you could go with Z-AIO and Z-5, the Z-AIO is an all in one cleaner wax/base coat, the Z-5 because your color is black, this product fills and covers light scratches while giving great protection as well, a must if you have a dark color car/truck.

Re: Question about dealer prep

Well, it is a brand new truck, so I don't know if I need to do multiple coats. I want to wash my car for the first time and wax it and then wash it every week or so and wax it every 6 months. I am not sure about multiple coats, do I need multiple coats?

Re: Question about dealer prep

I know more coats look better, but trust me, the AIO that I bought (All In One) is a one step one coat process that looks phenomenal and can be applied and removed from a Lade in under 1.5 hours - top to bottom including door jams, etc. I am finicky too, BUT my truck is Silver. If it was black, and scratched, I would likely go for a multi step process.

Re: Question about dealer prep

That is why I told him to get the Z-5 because he purchased a black truck, if it was white, gold, or silver the Z-AIO would be all that would be needed, dark color need more work to keep them, looking great.

Re: Question about dealer prep

Originally Posted by hcvone

That is why I told him to get the Z-5 because he purchased a black truck, if it was white, gold, or silver the Z-AIO would be all that would be needed, dark color need more work to keep them, looking great.

Yes, I know his truck is black, which is why I used that color in my "example" of when I might go for the multi-step process. Geez Carl, what are you, an expert on this stuff or something?

p.s. By the way, for those of you who don't know, Carl really is the expert on this stuff and I owe my thanks to him for introducing me to Zaino after years of having used virtually every product on the market. Hands down, the best stuff for easy application, shine and durability.